JAY – Quarterback Austin Clark called his number regularly and scored three touchdowns, and Jay High School relied on a solid defensive effort en route to a 34-0 shutout victory against Old Orchard Beach in a Class C Campbell Conference tilt Friday night.

Jay (3-4) made a statement early and then utilized a strong running game with Clark (123 yards, 24 rushes) and Miles Hutchinson (102 yards, 12 carries).

The Tigers needed a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

“We needed this one,” Jay coach Mark Bonnivie said. “Especially after last week’s tough loss. Tonight, we jumped on them early, capitalizing on their mistakes, and the lead gave us the momentum. The kids really did a good job, defensively.”

Jay received excellent field possession, and Clark ran for touchdowns of 4 and 10 yards in the first quarter.

The Tigers defense held Old Orchard Beach inside its own 10-yard line twice. Punter Dean Perrone received a bad snap and completely missed a kick, then kicked the ball into the line the next time.

Old Orchard Beach (3-4) simply couldn’t get on track. The Seagulls was unable to shake away from the Tigers’ swarming defense, which allowed 26 rushing yards.

“Jay is a deceiving 2-4 team,” Old Orchard Beach coach Dean Plante said. “They have good defensive coaching, and on offense they constantly played with a short field all night, but we conversely played with a long field.”

The teams traded turnovers in the middle quarters, and they each had a punt blocked.

Old Orchard Beach played without Perron at quarterback in the second half. Replacement Brandon Ouellette completed four of 11 passes for 27 yards and was intercepted twice.

The Tigers were led on defense by linemen Zach Lacrox, Tyler Dorr and Zach Lacroix; linebackers Jared Ouellette, Dylan Wiggins-Rider, Farrington, and Jordan DeMillo. The secondary was solid with Justin Shank, who returned an interception 40 yards for a TD, and Clark (two ints.).

Jay put things away with three scores in the fourth quarter, including runs by Clark and Hutchinson of 26 and 55 yards, respectively.

“The offensive line really opened up some holes,” Clark said. “We worked hard in practice and tonight we regained some Tiger pride and need to keep it going in order to make the playoffs. It’s one game at a time.”